DOHA - A winter World Cup in Qatar may not require cooling systems to lower temperatures in the stadiums as proposed in the bid for a summer tournament, said an executive from the Gulf state's 2022 organising committee.

- World Cup winners Germany will be at their best when they take on Euro 2016 qualifying rivals Poland, Scotland and Ireland later this year after their current period of experimentation, coach Joachim Loew has said.

MELBOURNE - Dark sunglasses were the order of the day for Australia's triumphant cricket team on Monday as they paraded the World Cup trophy to hundreds of fans at a public reception after a night of heavy partying at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

MELBOURNE - The ICC hailed the 11th cricket World Cup the "most popular ever" and although most neutrals would have preferred New Zealand to win Sunday's final, there is no doubt Australia were worthy of their fifth title.

MELBOURNE - New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has said he will not put pressure on any of his players to make up their minds about their playing futures in the wake of the team's disappointing World Cup final loss to Australia.